Biopharmaceutical industry-sponsored global clinical trials in emerging countries

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate biopharmaceutical industry-sponsored clinical trials placed in countries previously described as emerging regions for clinical research, and potential differences for those placed in Brazil.

METHODS

Data regarding recruitment of subjects for clinical trials were retrieved from www.clinicaltrials.gov on February 2nd 2009. Proportions of sites in each country were compared among emerging countries. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to evaluate whether trial placement in Brazil could be predicted by trial location in other countries and/or by trial features.

RESULTS

A total of 8,501 trials were then active and 1,170 (13.8%) included sites in emerging countries (i.e., Argentina, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Hungary, India, Mexico, Poland, Russia, South Korea, and South Africa). South Korea and China presented a significantly higher proportion of sites when compared to other countries (p<0.05). Multiple logistic regressions detected no negative correlation between placement in other countries when compared to Brazil. Trials involving subjects with less than 15 years of age, those with targeted recruitment of at least 1,000 subjects, and seven sponsors were identified as significant predictors of trial placement in Brazil.

CONCLUSION

No clear direct competition between Brazil and other emerging countries was detected. South Korea showed the higher proportion of sites and ranked third in total number of trials, appearing as a major player in attractiveness for biopharmaceutical industry-sponsored clinical trials.

[LASIK interface fluid accumulation caused by glaucoma associated with herpetic keratouveitis: case report]

Herpes simplex virus infection is a frequent cause of intraocular inflammation or anterior uveitis. Ocular hypertension is a common feature in herpetic keratouveitis. We describe a fluid accumulation and flap displacement in late postoperative period (28 months) of LASIK associated with ocular hypertension caused by herpetic keratouveitis. This finding supports the theory that flap attachment after LASIK is only partial and the virtual space remains indefinitely. The presence of ocular hypertension may lead to corneal edema and fluid accumulation in the interface.

Aerobic Bacterial Conjunctival Flora in Diabetic Patients

OBJECTIVE

To study the aerobic conjunctival flora of diabetic patients and its relation to the presence and level of diabetic retinopathy and the duration of the disease.

METHODS

One hundred three patients from the diabetic retinopathy screening program of the Federal University of São Paulo with no evidence of ocular surface disease were included. The diabetic patient cohort was compared with 60 nondiabetic subjects. All patients underwent slit-lamp evaluation, conjunctival scrapings, and indirect ophthalmoscopy.

RESULTS

The frequency of positive conjunctival cultures was significantly higher in the diabetic group (94.18%) than in the nondiabetic group (73.33%). Among diabetic patients, a significantly higher frequency of positive cultures was detected in those with diabetic retinopathy than in those without retinopathy. Neither the duration of the diabetes nor the hypoglycemic therapy correlated with the culture results. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the most common microorganism isolated, and its identification was more frequent in patients with retinopathy than in those without diabetic retinopathy.

CONCLUSION

Diabetic patients have a significantly higher number of positive conjunctival cultures. The presence of diabetic retinopathy was correlated with an increase in positive cultures and a higher proportion of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus.